This film is definitely worth seeing for the amazing slapstick sequences, though it doesn't have much of a storyline overall. The killer opening scenes, showing Charlie working at a construction site, had me staring open-mouthed at the screen. I also enjoyed the drunks' night out, the running-after-the-tram scenes, and the bits involving the cats (especially that sausage one).
I was less thrilled with the clichéd character of the rolling-pin-wielding wife. That role seems kind of misogynist to me, plus it opens up way too many questions that the film will never answer--you can't help but wonder how they got together in the first place, etc. And it takes a little of the innocent shine off of Charlie's sighs over Edna Purviance when you find out he's supposed to be married. The Tramp actually seems unusually louche in this picture.
According to David Robinson, this picture boasted some of the first successful night scenes that didn't have to be tinted. I loved the big searchlight that lit up the tram sequence. Sydney Chaplin also contributes some nice comedy. Edna, disappointingly, has a very small role.
This is far from my favorite Chaplin film, but I'm glad I have the DVD, because there are sequences I will enjoy watching over and over (and in slow motion).
